John 17:19

KJV

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} for {G5228} their {G846} sakes {G5228} I {G1473} sanctify {G37} myself {G1683}, that {G2443} they {G846} also {G2532} might {G5600} be sanctified {G37} through {G1722} the truth {G225}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On their behalf I am setting myself apart for holiness, so that they too may be set apart for holiness by means of the truth.

Berean Standard Bible

For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth.

American Standard Version

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 17:19, a pivotal verse within Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, profoundly articulates the purpose of His voluntary self-consecration: to enable the sanctification of His followers through the divine truth. This statement reveals the deep, intentional connection between Christ's unique dedication to His redemptive mission and the spiritual purity and setting apart of all who believe in Him, establishing the foundation for their holiness and service to God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Jesus' extended prayer to the Father, recorded in [John 17](/john/17 "John 17 - The High Priestly Prayer"), often referred to as His High Priestly Prayer. Delivered just hours before His arrest and crucifixion, this prayer moves from Jesus' request for His own glorification ([John 17:1-5](/john/17-1-5 "John 17:1-5 - Jesus Prays for His Own Glorification")) to intercession for His immediate disciples ([John 17:6-19](/john/17-6-19 "John 17:6-19 - Jesus Prays for His Disciples")) and then, significantly, for all future believers ([John 17:20-26](/john/17-20-26 "John 17:20-26 - Jesus Prays for All Believers")). Verse 19 specifically culminates Jesus' intercession for His disciples, revealing the ultimate purpose of His own sacrificial dedication as the means by which they, and by extension all believers, might be set apart and made holy. It directly follows Jesus' prayer for their protection from the evil one and His declaration that they are not of the world, just as He is not of the world ([John 17:14-16](/john/17-14-16 "John 17:14-16 - Disciples Not of the World")). Furthermore, it builds upon the concept of sanctification through truth introduced in [John 17:17](/john/17-17 "John 17:17 - Sanctification by Truth"), where Jesus prays, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of "sanctification" (making holy or setting apart) was deeply rooted in Old Testament Jewish thought and practice. Objects, places, and people could be sanctified, meaning consecrated or dedicated exclusively for God's purposes (e.g., the tabernacle, priests, sacrifices). This often involved ceremonial purification. However, Jesus' statement here transcends mere ritual. While He was sinless and therefore did not need purification in the sense of cleansing from sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus' Sinless Nature")), His "sanctifying" Himself speaks to His unique, voluntary dedication and consecration for the ultimate redemptive work—His atoning sacrifice on the cross. This act fulfills and redefines the Old Testament sacrificial system, presenting Himself as the perfect, unblemished offering, set apart for the Father's will and the salvation of humanity. His self-offering is the ultimate act of dedication, making possible the true holiness of His people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of John and Christian theology. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus' Priestly Role and Self-Sacrifice**. As the Great High Priest, Jesus not only intercedes for His people but also uniquely offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice, an act of self-consecration that is foundational to salvation. Secondly, it underscores the **Nature of Sanctification**, showing it to be both a positional reality (being set apart *by* God) and a progressive process (growing in holiness *through* God's truth). Believers are declared holy in Christ and are simultaneously called to live out that holiness. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes the **Indispensable Role of Truth**. "Truth" in John's Gospel is not merely propositional but profoundly personal, embodied in Jesus Himself, who declared, "[I am the way, the truth, and the life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Truth")". It also refers to God's revealed Word, as seen in [John 17:17](/john/17-17 "John 17:17 - Sanctification by Truth"). Thus, believers are sanctified by encountering, believing, and living in accordance with the person and revelation of Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sanctify (Greek, _hagiázō'_):** From G37, meaning "to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate." When Jesus says "I sanctify myself," it does not imply He needed cleansing from sin, as He was perfectly holy. Rather, it signifies His deliberate act of consecrating or dedicating Himself for the specific, divine purpose of His redemptive mission, culminating in His death and resurrection. For believers, this same word refers to both their positional holiness (being set apart by God at conversion) and their progressive holiness (the ongoing process of being made more like Christ through the Spirit and the Word).
* **myself (Greek, _emautoû'_):** From G1683, a reflexive pronoun meaning "of myself." The inclusion of "myself" (Greek *emautoû*) emphasizes the voluntary and self-initiated nature of Jesus' act. He was not compelled but willingly dedicated Himself, highlighting the profound love and obedience inherent in His sacrifice. This self-determination underscores the unique efficacy of His consecration for the benefit of others.
* **truth (Greek, _alḗtheia'_):** From G225, meaning "truth." This term is central to John's Gospel. Here, "the truth" refers not merely to abstract concepts but to God's revealed reality, which is embodied in Jesus Christ Himself ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")) and expressed through God's Word ([John 17:17](/john/17-17 "John 17:17 - Sanctification by Truth")). It is through embracing and living by this divine truth—the person and revelation of Christ—that believers are set apart and transformed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And for their sakes I sanctify myself":** This clause reveals the profound vicarious nature of Jesus' self-consecration. "For their sakes" (Greek *hypér autōn*) indicates that His act of setting Himself apart was entirely for the benefit and on behalf of His disciples (and, by extension, all future believers). Jesus, being without sin, did not need to be purified; rather, He consecrated Himself as the perfect, unblemished sacrifice, fully dedicating Himself to the Father's redemptive plan. This was a deliberate, voluntary act of self-offering, distinct from any ritualistic purification, aimed at fulfilling His unique priestly and sacrificial role.
* **"that they also might be sanctified":** This is the explicit purpose clause, explaining *why* Jesus sanctified Himself. His self-consecration is the enabling condition for the sanctification of His followers. The phrase "they also" draws a direct parallel between Jesus' unique act and the resulting state of His disciples. Their sanctification involves being set apart *by* God for His holy purposes, cleansed from sin's defilement, and progressively transformed into Christ's likeness. It encompasses both a positional holiness (being declared holy in Christ) and a progressive holiness (the ongoing process of growth in practical righteousness).
* **"through the truth":** This final phrase identifies the indispensable means by which believers are sanctified. "The truth" is not an abstract concept but is intrinsically linked to the person of Jesus Christ Himself, who is the embodiment of truth ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), and to God's revealed Word ([John 17:17](/john/17-17 "John 17:17 - Sanctification by Truth")). Believers are set apart and grow in holiness as they embrace, believe, and live according to the divine revelation found in Christ and His Word, allowing it to transform their minds and lives.

#### Literary Devices
John 17:19 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is the **Purpose Clause**, indicated by "that they also might be sanctified," which clearly states the *telos* or ultimate goal of Jesus' self-consecration. This highlights the intentionality and divine design behind Christ's actions. There is also a strong sense of **Parallelism** or **Correspondence** between Jesus' act and the believers' experience: "I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified." This parallel emphasizes that the disciples' holiness is directly contingent upon and flows from Christ's unique dedication. Furthermore, the concept of "sanctify" carries rich **Symbolism**, drawing upon Old Testament sacrificial and priestly language. While Jesus' act is far superior to any ritual, the term evokes the idea of being set apart for divine service and offering, which He perfectly fulfills as the ultimate sacrifice. The phrase "through the truth" also functions as a **Means Clause**, specifying the instrument through which this sanctification is achieved, thereby underscoring the vital role of divine revelation in the believer's journey of holiness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 17:19 stands as a cornerstone for understanding the nature of Christian holiness and the means by which it is achieved. It reveals that our sanctification is not self-generated but is fundamentally rooted in the vicarious and purposeful self-consecration of Jesus Christ. His act of setting Himself apart for the cross—the ultimate expression of His obedience and love—is the divine basis upon which believers are declared holy (positional sanctification) and empowered to live holy lives (progressive sanctification). This verse connects Jesus' priestly ministry directly to the practical outworking of holiness in the lives of His followers, emphasizing that true spiritual purity is inseparable from an engagement with and submission to "the truth" embodied in Christ and revealed in God's Word. It underscores that holiness is both a gift received and a life lived in response to the immense sacrifice of Christ.

* [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Christ's Blood Purifies Conscience")
* [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Christ Sanctifies the Church")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "Be Holy as God is Holy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 17:19 serves as a profound reminder of the immense cost of our salvation and the glorious purpose for which Christ set Himself apart. Understanding that Jesus voluntarily consecrated Himself for our sakes should ignite a deeper sense of gratitude and inspire a corresponding commitment to holiness in our own lives. Because we have been set apart *by* Christ, we are called to live *as* those who are set apart. This means actively pursuing practical holiness, not as a means to earn salvation, but as a joyful response to the salvation already secured by Christ's sacrifice. The verse also highlights the critical role of "truth"—God's Word and the person of Jesus—as the instrument of our ongoing sanctification. Therefore, daily engagement with Scripture, meditation on Christ's character, and obedience to His commands are not optional extras but essential disciplines for growing in Christ-likeness. Our lives, set apart through Christ and continually shaped by His truth, become a living testimony to His transforming power in a world desperately in need of His light.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' voluntary self-sanctification deepen your appreciation for His sacrifice and its personal implications for your life?**
* **In what practical ways can you pursue progressive sanctification "through the truth" in your daily life, specifically by engaging with God's Word and reflecting on the person of Jesus?**
* **How does understanding your positional sanctification in Christ (being set apart by Him) impact your identity, assurance, and confidence in living for God?**

### FAQ

**What does "I sanctify myself" mean for Jesus, since He was sinless and therefore didn't need to be purified?**

Answer: When Jesus says, "I sanctify myself," it does not imply that He needed cleansing from sin, as He was perfectly sinless ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Jesus' Sinless Nature")). Instead, the Greek word *hagiázō* (sanctify) here means to consecrate, dedicate, or set apart for a specific, holy purpose. Jesus' statement signifies His deliberate, voluntary, and complete dedication of Himself to the Father's will and His redemptive mission, which culminated in His sacrificial death on the cross. He was setting Himself apart as the perfect, unblemished offering, the ultimate sacrifice that would atone for the sins of humanity. This act of self-consecration was unique to Him as the Son of God, fulfilling His role as the Great High Priest who would offer Himself once for all ([Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Christ's One Sacrifice")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 17:19 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' role as the ultimate High Priest and the perfect sacrificial Lamb. His declaration, "I sanctify myself," is the very essence of His atoning work, where He, being without blemish or spot ([1 Peter 1:19](/1_peter/1-19 "Christ as the Lamb")), willingly set Himself apart for the divine purpose of redemption. This act of self-consecration is the foundation upon which the New Covenant is established, fulfilling all the Old Testament types and shadows of sacrifices and priestly consecrations. Through His singular, perfect offering of Himself on the cross, Jesus accomplished what no animal sacrifice or human priest ever could: He made a way for humanity to be truly sanctified and reconciled to God. His self-sanctification is the means by which believers are not only positionally set apart in Him, receiving a new identity as God's holy people ([1 Corinthians 1:2](/1_corinthians/1-2 "Called to be Saints")), but are also progressively transformed into His likeness "through the truth" of His Word and Spirit ([2 Corinthians 3:18](/2_corinthians/3-18 "Transformed into Christ's Image")). Thus, Jesus' act of sanctifying Himself is the very heart of the gospel, enabling our holiness and drawing us into a deeper communion with the Father.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Titus 2:14

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Hebrews 2:11

For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified [are] all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

John 17:17

¶ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

1 Corinthians 1:2

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Hebrews 10:5

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

Hebrews 10:10

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all].

2 Timothy 2:10

Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.